NJShore Guide

Best Water Quality Beaches

Top-rated beaches with the cleanest water based on 5 years of NJDEP monitoring data.

268Monitored Beaches
5 YearsOf Data
95%+Pass Rate

268

Monitored Beaches

221

Excellent Rating

39

Good Rating

97%

Pass Rate

The Cleanest Beaches on the Jersey Shore

New Jersey takes beach water quality seriously. The NJDEP Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program tests water at 268 beaches along the Jersey Shore every week during swim season, measuring Enterococcus bacteria levels to ensure safe swimming conditions.

The beaches on this page have the lowest bacteria levels and fewest advisories over the past 5 years. These are the cleanest beaches on the Jersey Shore, with water quality that consistently exceeds EPA standards.

What Makes a Beach "Excellent"?

  • • 5-year geometric mean below 35 CFU/100mL (EPA threshold: 104)
  • • Zero or minimal swim advisories
  • • No bacterial exceedance closures
  • • Consistent results across all seasons

Cape May County

Cape May peninsula beaches where the bay meets the ocean, with some of the cleanest water on the shore.

#1
Excellent

5-Year Avg

2 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →
#2
Excellent

5-Year Avg

2 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →
#3
Excellent

5-Year Avg

2 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →
Excellent

5-Year Avg

2 CFU

Advisories

0/5yr

Closures

0/5yr

View Full Report →

21st St

Avalon Borough • 2 CFU avg

Excellent

83rd St

Stone Harbor Borough • 2 CFU avg

Excellent

Congress

Cape May City • 2 CFU avg

Excellent

2nd

Cape May City • 2 CFU avg

Excellent

Water Quality Tips

🌧️

Avoid Swimming After Heavy Rain

Wait 24-48 hours after significant rainfall before swimming. Stormwater runoff temporarily elevates bacteria levels even at the cleanest beaches.

📱

Check Current Conditions

Visit our water quality pages before your beach trip, especially after storms. Real-time advisories are posted when conditions change.

🏊

Swim Near Lifeguards

Lifeguard-protected beaches are tested more frequently and monitored for changing conditions. Stick to designated swimming areas.

🌊

Avoid Inlet Areas After Storms

Inlets and areas near stormwater outflows can have higher bacteria levels after rain. Choose ocean-facing beaches away from bay influences.

🌅

Morning is Best

Bacteria levels are typically lowest in the morning when UV from sunlight has had time to kill bacteria overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is beach water quality measured?▼
The NJDEP tests for Enterococcus bacteria, an indicator of water contamination. Beaches are rated based on a 5-year geometric mean of bacteria levels. Excellent beaches have levels below 35 CFU/100mL, well under the EPA threshold of 104 CFU/100mL.
What causes poor water quality at some beaches?▼
Poor water quality is usually caused by stormwater runoff after heavy rain, which washes bacteria from land into the ocean. Beaches near inlets or stormwater outflows may have higher levels. Most issues are temporary and clear within 24-48 hours.
Are NJ beaches safe for swimming?▼
Yes! Over 95% of monitored beaches have excellent or good water quality. The NJDEP actively monitors conditions and issues advisories when needed. Always check current conditions after heavy rain.
When are advisories issued?▼
Advisories are issued when bacteria levels exceed EPA standards or as a precaution after heavy rainfall. Most are lifted within 24-48 hours. Beaches with excellent ratings rarely receive advisories.
Where can I check current water quality?▼
Visit our water quality hub at /beach-water-quality/ for current ratings and 5-year trends for all 268 monitored beaches. The NJDEP also posts updates on their Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program website.

Related Guides

Beach Water Quality Hub

Full water quality data for all 268 monitored beaches

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No beach badge required

Explore All Water Quality Data

View detailed 5-year trends, advisory history, and current conditions for all 268 monitored beaches.

Water Quality HubAll Beaches

Data: NJDEP Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (2021-2025). Learn more →